ABC International forges new content deal with Indonesia

On the back of its recent China content deal the ABC has announced it has has struck n agreement with Indonesia’s largest media company, the MNC Group, to extend the reach of the Australia Network television service.

The deal is similar to the new partnership between the Australia Network and the China’s Shanghai Media Group, and will see a month of dedicated Australian coverage on three of MNC’s free-to-air channels during May titled ‘Window on Australia’. Australian news will also have its own three-minute daily feature on MNC’s breakfast, midday and afternoon news bulletins and special features will be broadcast across all channels during the month.

CEO of ABC International Lynley Marshall said the deal meant Australian news would reach a significant number of Indonesians in their own language on their own channels. “We are working now with Indonesian crews to create content that will appeal to Indonesian audiences on topics such as Australian science and technology ingenuity, business and food sustainability,” said Marshall.

“This unprecedented access to local Indonesian media is the result of a mature and trusted partnership between the Australia Network and MNC that has developed over many years,” Marshall said. “Over past months ABC International has extended the reach not just of the Australia Network but also Radio Australia and our digital brand Australia Plus, with a range of syndication partners which includes MNC as well as Detik.com, Tempo.co, Antara, Fajar TV, Jawa Pos, and Kompas.com and TV.”